By Cynthia Eruotor
The Committee for the Defense of Human Rights,(CDHR) Delta State has organised its end of year party/symposium . The programme which took place at Ifech 3, PTI conference Centre Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area, over the weekend, attracted human rights from all walks of life.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman, CDHR Delta State branch, Comrade Jonathan Giama said the organization came into existence in 1990 at the time of pro-democracy when leaders in the country were agitating for democracy.
According to him, at that time, many of the leaders in this struggles were dealt with including Comrade Sunny Enenuvwedia and others adding in the process, many of them including one of the leaders, Aborishade was incarcerated. According to him, it was there, these groups of leaders came together to fight for his release saying this gave birth to the organization to help the needy persons whose rights were violated in the society.
He said, the organization has been in the fore front of the struggle for Democracy in Nigeria until it came to stay in 29th May, 1999. He said despite the challenges the organization faces internally and externally since its inception, it has continued to move forward with its mission for better society where human rights are respected and guaranteed.He said the only way to do things right in the country is to embrace the rule of law without compromise and embracing the rights of the citizens with good conscience. He said:” Nigeria must eradicate corruption and embrace human rights in totality.”
While thanking those who graced the occasion despite their busy schedule, he said, the organization would continue to do its best in the protection of human rights just as he advocated for good governance and hope to see better Delta come 2024.
Speaking on the theme of the programme titled:”Human Rights and Good Governance: the pathway to sustainable development in Delta State” National President, CDHR, Comrade Dr Prince Kehinde Taiga said for Delta State to experience speedy growth and development, there must be proper democracy where the government put into cognizance the people’s welfare when formulating policies and programmes. According to him, political leaders in the country should know that they are elected to make laws for the benefits of the populace not for their pockets and therefore charged them to be up and doing in this regard. He said the organization is ready to defend human rights in the state and nation at large and charged the oppressed to always speak out any time their rights are infringed upon.
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According to him, the rate of police extortion in the country especially Delta State is on the increase and therefore called on the commissioner of Police, Delta State to stem down this trend to avoid mass protest of the body as what caused End SARS in country some time ago began like a child’s play. He thanked the organization for presenting an of excellence to him as the award would spur him to do more for organization and humanity.
On his part, still on the topic:” Human Rights and Good Governance: The Pathway To Sustainable Development“, Comrade Sunny Enenuvwedia, CDHR Bot Chairman said democracy in its real sense is when the political officers are accountable to the people. According to him, the governed should feel the impacts of the government in all ramifications. He said if the government fails to do the needful; the people have the right to ask questions. He said to be a strong human rights cruder, members should not be afraid of arrest as that one of the attributes of the job.
He therefore challenged members of the organization to be up and doing to fight cause for which it was established as they, pioneer members, did in the days of military era and not to look for what they(members) would get in the detriment of the aims and objectives of the organization.
Comrade Sunny Enenuvwedia, CDHR’s Bot Chairman who was also honoured with an award of excellence thanked the organization just as he promised to do more as far as the protection of human rights is concerned.
In her lecture titled: “The Role Of Tertiary Institutions On Youth Development For Peace And Social Impact In Delta State, Mrs Rufina Ufuoma Ufiofio, Registrar, Delta State University,Abraka said the goal of tertiary institutions on youth development is to develop human potential :generate a ruling professional, clerical and technological elite to meet society’s many requirements especially, the needs for advancement, stability and development. According to her, since the youths are leaders of tomorrow, in order for them to reach their full potential, they must go through a rigorous process of educational improvement and capacity building.
Her words:”It is expected and historically true that leadership in the field of engineering, medicine, law, aviation, military service and academics is obtained or is most frequently attained following varied lengths of experiences in her educational institutions.”
Mrs Ufiofio, said, among the roles played by higher education to societal progress and peace in Nigeria in general and Delta in particular include skill development, research and innovation, community engagement, promoting peace education and mentorship.
Others who delivered lectures are Mrs. Esther Omare Abrakata-Ogwu, the Principal of Yonwuren College, Warri on the topic:”Implementation of Universal Basic Education in Delta State: Challenges and Way forward, and the Divisional Police Officer, Obiarukwu, CSP Florence Echekwu who was represented by ASP Aimuanmwosa Johnson Emmanuel on the topic:”Building Citizens To Trust the Nigeria Police in Protection Of Human Rights, among others.
The highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of awards of excellence by the organization (CDHR) to the National President, CDHR, Comrade (Dr) Prince Kehinde Taiga and Comrade Sunny Enenuvwedia, CDHR’s Bot Chairman, amidst cheers.